iPhone 16e Review
The iPhone 16e officially arrived on 28 February 2025, following its announcement just nine days earlier. Throughout its development, most people assumed it would launch as the next SE model — often nicknamed the “iPhone SE 4” by fans. So it came as a surprise when Apple confirmed it would join the newest lineup as the iPhone 16e instead.
Now that the phone is out in the wild, let’s take a closer look at what Apple has actually delivered.
If you’re also exploring alternatives outside the Apple ecosystem, our Nothing Phone guide is worth a read.
What’s the Difference Between the iPhone 16 and 16e?
Although it sits under the iPhone 16 brand, the iPhone 16e is very much the budget edition of the series. Apple has kept the overall look and feel similar, but there are three key differences:
- Price: The 16e starts at £699, around £100 cheaper than the iPhone 16.
- Camera: The 16e has just one rear camera, compared to the dual-lens setup on the standard iPhone 16.
- Battery life: Surprisingly, the 16e lasts around 30 minutes longer than the iPhone 16.
This positioning makes the 16e an interesting middle-ground — cheaper than the flagship models, but closer to the main lineup than previous SE devices ever were.
What Makes the iPhone 16e Special?
The standout thing about the iPhone 16e is that it blends affordability with a genuinely modern Apple design. For the first time on a budget iPhone, the 16e features:
- Face ID
- A full-screen OLED display
- No home button
This is a huge departure from the SE models, which always retained the iconic home button. Many expected Apple to keep it for one last release — but the company had other ideas.
Here’s why the removal of the home button actually makes sense:
1. It strengthens the identity of the “16e” name
Apple clearly wants the 16e to be seen as part of the iPhone 16 family, not a leftover SE device. A modern, buttonless design reinforces that message.
2. iOS updates are built around gesture controls
Recent iOS versions are designed with swipe navigation in mind. Keeping a physical home button would mean extra software tailoring — something Apple is moving away from.
3. More screen space
Without the home button, the screen size jumps to 6.1 inches — a big leap from the 4.7-inch display on the iPhone SE 3.
Fans of the home button might find the transition difficult, but for the long-term direction of Apple’s product line, this change was inevitable.
iPhone 16e Specs
- Release date: 28 February 2025
- Display: Super Retina XDR OLED
- Screen size: 6.1 inches
- Supports iOS 18: Yes
- Chipset: Apple A18
- Camera: 48MP rear camera, dual-LED HDR
- Face ID: Yes
- Storage: Up to 512GB
- RAM: 8GB
- Colours: Black or White
- Price: £699
Our Thoughts
Reception to the iPhone 16e has been surprisingly positive — and we agree with the praise. Apple has genuinely refreshed its budget offering for the first time in years, both inside and out. The name change feels modern, the larger display looks great, and having better battery life than the standard iPhone 16 is a very pleasant surprise.
The only controversial move is the removal of the home button. For users who loved the SE range for its familiarity, this change may be unwelcome. However, Apple’s long-term direction clearly depends on gesture-based navigation and full-screen designs — and the 16e needed to evolve to stay relevant.
It’s refreshing to see a budget iPhone that doesn’t feel outdated on day one.
If you’re interested in previous iconic phones too, our BlackBerry retrospective is a great throwback.
If you’re considering the iPhone 16e but want to explore alternatives first, take a look at our range of refurbished mobile phones — fully tested through a 90-point process and much friendlier on the environment. And if you’re upgrading, you can also trade in your current handset and put its value towards your next iPhone.
